Skip to main content

Equipment Technology Committee

ARCHIVED

This committee has been archived July 1, 2026.  Please reach out to your NWCG Coordinator if any content needs to be moved to the new committee structure.


 

Banner Image (Legacy Committees before 2026)
ETC header graphic. Photo of firefighter with a hose inset in photo of fire. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) provides national leadership in wildland fire equipment, supplies, and chemicals. The ETC enables coordinated interagency management of wildland fire equipment, supplies, and chemicals, including planning, development, acquisition, and utilization. The ETC provides oversight of the National Interagency Support Caches and National Fire Equipment System.

Body

Primary Objectives

Firefighter with chainsaw cutting down a tree

  • Establish, maintain and communicate consistent interagency standards and guidelines for equipment, supplies and chemicals for wildland fire suppression.
  • Establish processes and procedures for the introduction, utilization, refurbishment, replacement, or disposal of any piece of equipment, supply item, or wildland fire chemical that has an established standard or specification.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures for ETC business practices which establish consistent, well defined methods of operations and decision making.
  • Contribute to the standardization of information technology systems (such as FireNet, IROC, etc.) to collect and distribute data, processes, forms, and other operational elements.

Alerts

Alert Title Additional Information
ETC-EA-26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups
ETC-EA-25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use
ETC/RMC-SB-25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing
ETC-EB-25-004: New Aquatic Invasive Species - Golden Mussels
ETC-EB-25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities affecting use, appearance, and serviceability
ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits Available (NFES #0244) - 2025 Field Season
ETC-SW-25-001: Non-specification fire shelters
ETC-SW-24-001: Stihl Toolless Fuel Caps Spill Prevention
ETC-EB-24-003: Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers
ETC-EB-24-005: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance
ETC-EB-24-004: Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories
ETC-EB-24-002: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard – Request for Comment
ETC-EB-24-001: Discontinued Use of Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2024 Field Season
ETC-EB-2023-02: Fire shelter training material moved to a website and publication renamed
ETC-SW-2023-001: Non-specification Fire Shelters
ETC-EB-2023-01: Discontinuation of Shelf Stable Food Boxes (NFES 7478) in NISC
ETC-EA-22-05: BKR5000 Series Radio Firmware Update
ETC-EA-22-04: BK Radio Not Powering Up When Switched to the On Position
ETC-EB-22-01: 50:1 Fuel/Oil Mix Ratio Recommendation for 2-Stroke Wildland Fire Portable Pumps
ETC-EA-2022-03: Performance Differences Between Pre-and Post-2006 Fire Shelters
ETC-EA-22-02: Fuel Container Geysering
ETC-EA-22-01: Inspection of 3,000 lb. Cargo Nets
ETC-SA-21-01: Drip Torch Lock Rings Detaching
ETC-EB-21-01: Fire Shelter Training Update/Reminders
ETC-EA-21-01: Fire Shelter PVC Bag Retrofit 2021
ETC-EB-2019-04: Medical Kit Changes – Urgent Recall of Altaire Pharmaceuticals Eye Wash Solution
ETC-EB-2019-03: NWCG Dozer Typing Standard - Request for Comment
ETC-EB-2019-02: Firefighter Pants Questionnaire Survey
ETC-EB-2019-01: Medical Kit Changes for 2019 Field Season
ETC-EB-2018-01: Further information on removal of NFES 001175 Five Gallon Fuel Can from NISCs
ETC-EB-2017-01: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues STIHL Chainsaw Recall
ETC-EB-2016-03: Engine and Water Tender Foot Valve Leakage - Field Test Protocol
ETC-EB-2016-01: Phase-Out of Drip Torches That Do Not Comply with US DOT and US OSHA Specifications

Wildland Firefighter's Helmet Serviceability Guide Flowchart

Flow chart identifying the indicators of whether a wildland firefighter's helmet should be serviced or repaired.

This link will take you to the etc-determine-dom.pdfThis link will take you to the etc-helmet-notice.pdf

Helmet Inspection and Safety video (Time:  7:10)

PDF of the above Wildland Firefighter's Helmet Serviceability Guide flowchart

Determine Date of Manufacturing (DOM)

Inspect the Helmet: Helmet Notice: Summer 2012 by the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) regarding reports of cracking, delamination, and broken suspension keys in helmets.

Alternate Head Protection Available (March 2011)

Fuel Geyser Awareness

Vaporless Fueling System Field Evaluation

The Soter Fueling System (SFS) is a vaporless refueling system designed for chainsaws to mitigate the risk of injury from fuel geysering.  The SFS is a closed refueling system that prevents vapor from being released.   Information on the durability, maintainability and usability of the system is being evaluated by selected chainsaw operators. 

Soter Fuel System Orientation Video.  This video provides an overview of the Soter fuel system.  It includes instructions for proper installation and use.  Please watch the video before using the system.

Soter Fuel System Fuel Bottle Probe Retrofit Instructions.

Link to the evaluation.

Guidance Documents

Innovative Ideas

If you have an idea that you feel will improve wildland fire fighter safety, operating efficiency, and reduce costs, review the Guide for the Submission of Innovative Ideas for Product or Process Improvement and Submission Form. We'd like to hear from you!

Useful Resources for the Equipment Technology Committee

Helmet information is now available on the FSPPES homepage

Forest Service Technology and Development Centers

Forest Service Fire Equipment Specifications and Standards (cache equipment)

Wildland Fire Chemical Systems (WFCS) - The WFCS provides national resource agencies with detailed information promoting safe and effective fire suppression chemicals and aerial delivery systems.

Roscommon Equipment Center - Wildland fire engine and equipment designs and information

Chair: Hesse, Nate

NWCG Coordinator: Lamb, Erica

Parent Committee: N/A

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2026

Date:  September 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Health and Wellness Subcommittee

The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The HWSC and SRC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2026 Letter from Leadership

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Health and Wellness Subcommittee

Safety and Risk Management Committee

2025 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Shannon Deane, U.S. Wildland Fire Service— Initiative and Innovation
  • Chris Delaney, U.S. Wildland Fire Service — Motivation and Vision
  • Sean Peterson, U.S. Forest Service — Mentoring and Teamwork

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Development Subcommittee

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91